Adjustable splined pinion



May 21, 1963 Filed Dec.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 21, 1963 R. J. EMINGER 3,090,641

ADJUSTABLE SPLINED PINIoN Filed Dec. 14, 1960 United States Patent Ofice Sil Patented May 21, 1953 3,090,641 ADJUSTABLE SPLHNED PENIQN Robert J. Eminger, Kendallville, Ind., assigner to Fort Wayne Tool and Die, Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind. Filed Dec. 14, 1969, Ser. No. 75,733 7 Claims. (Ci. 287-53) This invention relates generally to the combination of a splined shaft and a member for guiding the shaft for longitudinal movement while imparting rotary motion thereto, and more particularly to yan adjustable splined pinion incorporating means for removing back-lash from the splined shaft.

In Patent 2,847,170 issued to Jaohn F. Lill and the present applicant on August :12, 1958, assigned to the assignee of the present application, stator winding apparatus is disclosed incorporating a winding head which is caused to move through the bore of `the stator being wound in a generally rectilinear path in order to wind coils in the stator slots. This rectilinear motion of the winding head is provided by mounting the winding head upon a splined shaft which is guided yfor longitudinal movement and simul-taneously rotated by a splined pinion.

In winding apparatus of the type disclosed in the aforementioned patents, it is necessary, particularly when winding stators having nar-row slots, that back-lash of the splined shaft be completely eliminated. In the past, both the splined shaft eand splined pinion have been formed of hardened steel and close manufacturing tolerances were required both in cutting the splines in the pinion and on the shaft in order Ito provide minimum initial back-lash. Winding machines of the type disclosed in the aforementioned patent operate at a relatively high speed and thus, bot-h the steel shaft and steel pinion are subject to rapid wear in turn requiring frequent replacement in order to maintain the requisite minimum back-lash. Further, with the previously `employed steel shaft and pinion, the close iit required for minimum back-lash purposes caused the splined shaft to seize at high speeds.

It is therefore desirable to provide a splined pinion which may be adjusted both -initially and from time to time as wear occurs in order to remove all backlash from the splined shaft.

It is an object of my invention to provide adjustable guiding means for a Isplined shaft.

Another object of my invention is to provide an adjustable splined pinion for a splined shaft.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawing, and the .features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in lthe claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

My invention in its broader aspects provides an externally splined shaft and an internally splined device for accommodating relative longitudinal motion of the shaft. The internally splined device comprises first and second relatively rotatable parts each having `an internally splined portion with the shaft passing therethrough. The first and second parts have adjacent facing surfaces which are respectively coaxial with the shaft, .the iirst part surface having a first annular groove formed therein coaxial with the shaft and the second part surface having a second groove yformed therein coaxial with the shaft and forming part of an annulus, the grooves being concentric and mutually defining a cavity. The rst part has an opening therein communicating with the cavity and force transferring means are positioned in the cavity having one end engaging one end of the second groove `and its other end facing the opening in the fu'st part. Adjustable means are provided in the opening and having a portion extending into the cavity and engaging the other end of the force transferring means whereby force exerted on the other end of the force transferring means is applied to the one and of the second groove thereby tending to rotate the second part with respect to the rst part and in turn causing the splined portions to engage the sha-ft in order to prevent rotational movement of the shaft with respect to the device.

In the drawing:

FIG. 'l is a fragmentary view illustrating the employment of my invention in a winding machine of the type disclosed in the foregoing patent;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the adjustable splined pinion of my invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of my adjustable splined pinion taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

AFIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view `taken along the line 5 5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is -a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of fFIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a side -view of the inner splined section of the splined pinion of FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a winding head 10 having conventional wire dispensing needles 12 extending therefrom. Winding head 1G is carried 'by a splined shaft 14 Vthrough which wire 16 is fed for dispensing through `the needles 12 and into the slots of an internally slotted dynamoelectric machine stator core member (not shown) as winding head 10 is reciprocally moved through the stator bore. rl`he reciprocal motion is imparted yto splined shaft 14 and winding head 10 by means of a drive shaft 18, carrying a crank 20 and pitman 22 pivotally connected to crank 20 and to the splined shaft as at 24. It will be readily apparent that as the 4drive shaft 18 is rotated by the driving motor of the winding apparatus (not shown), crank 20 and pitman 22 will impart linear reciprocal motion to the winding head 10 and splined shaft 14.

Winding head lti and splined shaft 14 are rotated at the ends of their reciprocal stroke, respectively, by means of an internally splined pinion, generally identiied at 26, which guides the splined shaft 14 in its reciprocal motion and which imparts rotary motion thereto. A barrel cam 2S is provided mounted on shaft 18 and rotated therewith and having a 'cam slot 'Sil formed therein. A cam follower 32 rides inthe cam slot 30 and is carried by arm 34 pivoted as at 36. Arm 34 is in turned pivotally connected `at 138 to rack 40 which engages teeth 42 of splined pinion 26. Splined pinion 26 has journal surfaces 44 and `i6 formed thereon respectively journaled in bearing elements 48 and 50 which are secured to the vinding apparatus.

Referring now -to FIGS. 2 through 7 of the drawing, adjustable splined pinion 26 comprises two relatively rotatable splined sections 52 and 54. Section 52 is elongated and has a cylindrical pocket extending inwardly from its end 56 with its side wall 58 `coaxial with and radially spaced from splined shaft 14 and with its 'bottom Wall 60 extending radially outwardly `from shaft 14.

Internal splines o2 are formed on member 52 for guiding shaft 14 for reciprocal movement in the direction shown by the arrows 64, the splines 62 communicating with the bottom wall 66 of the pocket and with an elongated opening 66 extending to the other end 68 of member 52 which coaxially `surrounds `shaft 14.

Pinion teeth 42 are formed on the exterior of member 52 in order to impart the requisite rotational motion thereto and in turn to yshaft 14. Member 52 is preferably formed of a good bearing material, such as bronze in order to prevent vseizing at high speed, and thus, steel journal sleeves 44 land 45 are pressed thereover in order rotatably to support the member 52.

Splined section 54 is cylindrical in configuration and Y*is journaledwithin the pocket mem'ber 52 so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the member 52; splined section 54 'has its cylindrical side wall 7i? in sliding engagement with side wall S of .the pocket `and its bottom ywall 72 likewise in sliding engagement with bot- The outer periphery of member 52 adjacent end 56 is v enlarged, as at 76, and an annular groove 78 of semicircular cross-section is formed in side Wall 58 of the pocket member 52, as shown. Another groove 8b of semioircular cross-section and dening part of an annulus is formed in the outer side wall 7'9 of splined section S4, the grooves 78 and t? 'being concentric and mutually defining a cavity 32 yof circular cross-section. A boss or projection S4 is formed on one side of the enlarged portion 76 of member 52 and has an opening 86 formed therein ltangentially communicating with the cavity 82 and coplanar therewith. Opening 86 is internally threaded to receive threaded plug SS which has `a projection 9% formed thereon extending into the cavity S2; plug 88 is provided with a socket 92 whereby the plug with its projection 90 may be threaded into and out of .opening S6. A chain of balls 94 is Aprovided respectivelyV abutting and substantially filling cavi-ty 82, .one end ball 96 engaging :the end 9S of slot 80 in splined Vsection 54, and the other end ball 100 'facing the `opening 86, but being nevertheless outside of the opening 86 so that 4an equator of ball 100 continuously engages the wall of cavity 82. Projection 90 of plug 88 engages the end ball b thus biasing the balls 94 into abutting relationship so that the end ball 96 `engages end 98 of groovetl. v

It will now be readily seen that if there is any mitral back-lash provided `between the splined shaft 174 and the splined members 52 and 54, this back-lash can irnmediately be taken up and completely eliminated by adjustment of plug 88 further into opening 86 so that projection 9i) forces the chain of balls 94 and the end ball 96 against end 98 of splined section 54 thereby tending to rotate section 54 inthe direction shown by the arrow 102 with respect to member 52. This rotation of splined section 54 in the direction shown by the ,arrow V162 causes the side kwalls 104 of splines 74 to engage the corresponding sides 166 ofthe external splines l ti of splined shaft 14 thus tending to rotate splined shaft 14 inthe direction shown by the arrow 110.- Rotation of the splined shaft 14 in the direction shown by the arrow 116 in turn causes ythe sides 112 of splines 10S -to bear against the corresponding sides 114 of splines 62 of the member 52, thus completely eliminating all initial back-lash. lt will further be seen that by virtue of the fact that :the members 52 and 54 are formed of bearing materails, such as bronze, reciprocation of the splined shaft 14 and splines 62 rand 74 will cause wearing of these splines rather than wearing of the harder ysplines 198 of thegsteel splined shaft 14. However, as wear occurs in the splines 62 and 74 of splined sections 52 and 54, adjustments of plug 8S can be made repeat- .edly in order to take up the resulting back-lash in the transversely as well as Ain the direction ofthe cavity 82 i and thus can become wedged in the enlarged region 11.6 defined by opening 36 and groove thus preventing further adjustment, scoring the surface of groove Sti, and requiring disassembly of the splined pinion.

It will be seen that with my adjustable splined pinion, the close manufacturing tolerances previously required in cutting the spline in the pinion and on the shaft are no Ilonger necessary since the ability to adjust the relative rotational positions of splined sections 52 and 54 permits initial vadjustment to eliminategall back-lash in the splined shaft 14. Further, with the adjustable feature of my invention, the splined members 52 Iand 54 may be formed of material having good bear-ingproperties rather than of steel and thus my adjustable splined pinion can accommodate higher linear speeds of shaft i4 without seizing.

While my adjustable splined pinion has particu-lar utility in the winding machines of the aforementioned patent, it wil-l be seen that it may be employed in any arrangement in which `an externally splined shaft moves through yan internally splined member.

While l have illustrated and described a speciiic embodiment of my invention, further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the Iart and I des-ire therefore .in fthe appended claims .to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination; an externally splined shaft; and an internally splined -device for accommodating relative longitudinal motion of said shaft with respect to said device, said device comprising first and second relatively rotatable parts each having an internally splined portion 'with said shaft passing therethrough, said parts having adjacent facing surfaces which are respectively coaxial with said shaft,

said rst part surface having a rst annular groove formed therein coaxial with said shaft, said second part surface having a second groove formed therein coaxial with said shaft and forming part of an annulus, said grooves being concentric and mutually defining a cavity, said rst part having .an opening therein communicating with said cavity, force transfer means in said cavity having one end engaging one end of said second groove and its other end facing said opening, and adjustable means in saidopening and having a portion extending into said cavity and engaging the other end of said force transfer means whereby force exerted on said other end of said force transfer means is applied to said one end of said second groove thereby tending to rotate said second part with respect to said r'st part causing said splined portions to engage said shaft to prevent rotatable movement thereof lwith respect to said device.

2. The combination of claim l wherein a pinion is formed on one of said parts for rotating said shaft.

3. The `combination of claim l wherein said force transfer means comprises a plurality of separate but abutting elements.

4. The combination of claim l wherein said cavity has a circular cross-section, and wherein said force transfer means comprises a plurality of abutting balls substantially lling said cavity.

5. In combination; an externally splined shaft; and an internally splined device for accommodating relative longitudinal motion or" said shaft with respect to 4sai-d device, said Vdevice comprising rst and second relatively rotatable parts each having an internally splined portion with said shaft passing therethrough, said parts having adjacent facing surfaces which are respectively coaxial with said shaft, said first part surface having a iirst annular groove formed therein coaxial withsaid shaft, said second part surface having a second groove forme-d therein coaxial with said shaft and lforming part of an Iannulus, said grooves being Vconcentric and mutually dening a cavity having a circular cross-section, said first part having an opening formed therein tangentially communicating with said cavity and coplanar therewith, a chain of abutting balls in said cavity substantially filling the same with one end lball abutting the one end of said second groove remote from said opening and the other end ball facing but outside of said opening, `and a plug adjustably seated in said opening for longitudinal movement therein and having an extension portion projecting into said cavity and engaging the other end ball whereby force exerted on said chain of balls by said plug extension is applied to said one end of said second groove thereby tending to rotate said second part with respect to said iirst part causing said splined portions to engage said shaft to prevent rotatable movement thereof with respect to said device.

6. ln combination: an externally splined shaft; a iirst member coaxially surrounding said shaft and having a iirst internally splined portion cooperating with said shaft for accommodating relative longitudinal movement thereof, said first member having a cylindrical pocket `formed in one end with its side wall coaxial with said shaft; a cylindrical member journaled in `said pocket for rotation relative to said first member and having its side Wall closely adjacent the side wall of said pocket, said cylindrical member having a second internally splined portion cooperating with said shaft for accommodating relative longitudinal movement thereof; said side wall of said pocket having a iirst annular semi-circular groove formed therein, said side 'wall of said cylindrical member having a second semi-circular groove formed therein forming part of an annulus, said grooves being concentric and mutually `defining a cavity having a circular cross-section; said rst member having an lopening formed therein tangentially communicating with said cavity and coplanar therewith; a chain of abutting balls in said cavity substantially lling the same with one end ball abutting the one end of said second groove remote from said opening and the other end ball facing but outside of said opening; and a plug adjustably threaded in said opening for longitudinal movement therein and having an extension portion projecting into said cavity and engaging the other end ball whereby force exerted on said chain of balls by said plug extension is applied to said one end of said second groove thereby tending to rotate said cylindrical member With respect to said iirst member causing said splined portions to engage said shaft to prevent rotation movement thereof with respect to said member.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein a pinion is formed on the outer surface of said irst member for rotating said shaft.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN COMBINATION; AN EXTERNALLY SPLINED SHAFT; AND AN INTERNALLY SPLINED DEVICE FOR ACCOMMODATION RELATIVE LONGITUDINAL MOTION OF SAID SHAFT WITH RESPECT TO SAID DEVICE SAID DEVICE COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND RELATIVELY ROTATABLE PARTS EACH HAVING AN INTERNALLY SPLINED PORTION WITH SAID SHAFT PASSING THERETHROUGH, SAID PARTS HAVING ADJACENT FACING SURFACES WITH ARE RESPECTIVELY COAXIAL WITH SAID SHAFT, SAID FIRST SURFACE HAVING A FIRST ANNULAR GROOVE FORMED THEREIN COAXIAL WITH SAID SHAFT, SAID SECOND PART SURFACE HAVING A SECOND GROOVE FORMED THEREIN COAXIAL WITH SAID SHAFT FORMING PART OF AN ANNULUS, SAID GROOVES BEING CONCENTRIC AND MUTUALLY DEFINING A CAVITY, SAID FIRST PART HAVING AN OPENING THERIN COMMUMICATING WITH SAID CAVITY, FORCE TRANSFER MEANS IN SAID CAVITY HAVING ONE END ENGAGING ONE END OF SAID SECOND GROOVE AND ITS OTHER END FACING SAID OPENING, AND ADJUSTABLE MEANS IN SAID OPENING AND HAVING A PORTION EXTENDING INTO SAID CAVITY AND ENGAGING THE OTHER END OF SAID FORCE TRANSFER MEANS WHEREBY FORCE EXERTED ON SAID OTHER END OF SAID SECOND GROOVE MEANS IS APPLIED TO SAID ONE END OF SAID SECOND GROOVE THEREBY TENDING TO ROTATE SAID SECOND PART WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIRST PART CAUSING SAID SPLINED PORTIONS TO ENGAGE SAID SHAFT TO PREVENT ROTATABLE MOVEMENT THEREOF WITH RESPECT TO SAID DEVICE. 